Fines are on the spot answer
Anti-social behaviour has become a scourge of modern society seemingly able to afflict any community whether urban or rural. Unfortunately, even here in Lochaber we are not immune to thoughtless vandalism, scrawling graffiti or scenes of drunkenness. In the past such acts have led to people shaking their heads with a resigned despondency that little can be done by our police to tackle the problem.
News that the first month of a police crackdown in the Highlands has proved a success is welcome. New powers available under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act allow the police to issue £40 fixed-penalty notices to unruly individuals. The police also indicate that less paperwork is involved than before allowing them to undertake more policing than bureaucracy. Long may that continue! I am convinced that one of the causes of anti-social behaviour has been the decline in visible policing. That is not the fault of our police but successive politicians who have tied them down with form filling. A police presence must provide a visual check to moderate your behaviour. Visible policing also provides welcome reassurance to the public that will encourage them to return to our town centres making them vibrant welcoming places instead of them often remaining no-go zones.